Cruzh – ‘Cruzh’

posted 11 Aug 2016, 11:59 by Paul Woodward

(Frontiers
Records)

Review
By Woody

I really hope Cruzh
aren’t one album wonders because I LIVE for
albums like this, the debut album from the Swede’s is sheer joyous melodic
awesomeness. They haven’t reinvented the wheel but with this album they have
created an uplifting summertime melodic beauty of an album – for me this is
perfection. Although they aren’t carving out a new musical genre they haven’t
fallen foul of the lacklustre melodic rock by numbers trap that many current
genre bands fall into. It’s an extremely exciting and addictive listen and
although there may be nothing new or innovative about the Cruzh sound they know
how to craft a wonderfully hook filled melodic rock song. Their sound and
influences owe a lot to a bygone era but with a slick production and killer
song writing they are very much in the here and now!

It’s an instantly gratifying album and although on the
surface a little lightweight there is enough depth and emotion in the songs and
lyrics to give the album as a whole a bit of meat on its bones and for me
guaranteeing that I will return to it frequently even after the initial buzz
subsides. It’s sure to feature on my playlists for every summer now on.

Cruzh give all us melodic rockers everything we desire
from an album, smooth choruses, unforgettable Keyboard licks, melodic guitar
hooks that get right under your skin. There is some pop-rock element’s to the
three pieces’ song writing which only emphasises the catchiness of all the
songs, whilst it never softens the sound it does make them more accessible to
non-rockers. AOR fans will also be awe struck by some really haunting vocal
melodies and loud and proud synth-tastic keyboards.

I really like the smooth vocals on the album and the
heavy use of vocal harmonies and the multi layered vocals really accentuate the
impact of some killer vocal melodies and delivering some beautifully addictive
moments on the album. For the air-keyboardists amongst us there is loads of
prominent soaring keyboards, pulsing licks and sweeping hooks for us to get
rather excitable about.

The guitar work does add some crunch and rock but it steers
vehemently clear of aggression and heaviness. It’s all melody all the time,
stunningly effective and hook filled adding its own layer of delicious melody
to the soundscape. Some of the solo’s and riffs are simply stunning and get
stuck in your consciousness as soon as you hear them.

The songs have a really rich, full sound and there is
some killer atmospherics’ going on which emphasis the impact of certain songs
on the listener. It is an emotional and heartfelt album in its content and
delivery so it makes it a really easy album to connect with. This album is full
of infectious rockers with sing along choruses and emotion dripping ballads
which hook you instantly. Personally if you don’t like this album I’m pretty
sure you don’t like feel-good music irrespective of genre.

I love the album from top to bottom but special
mentions have to go out to the delicious melodic gems ‘Hard To Get’, ‘Aim For
The Head’ and the epic ballad ‘Straight From The Heart’.

A thoroughly exciting and energetic album full of big
choruses it’s jaw droppingly impressive and Cruzh are destined to light up the
lives of those who love highly
melodic rock. All hail the new kings of Scandi-rock!

Track
Listing: In n’ Out Of Love/ First Cruzh / Aim For The Head /
Anything For You / Survive / Stay / Hard To Get / You / Set Me Free / Before I
Walk Alone / Straight From My Heart